Unconditional Love

¹ When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. ² The more I called them, the further they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and they burned incense to idols. ³ Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up in my arms, but they did not know that I healed them. ⁴ I led them with bands of human kindness, with cords of love. I treated them like those who lift infants to their cheeks; I bent down to them and fed them. ⁵ They will return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria will be their king, because they have refused to return to me. ⁶ The sword will strike wildly in their cities; it will consume the bars of their gates and will take everything because of their schemes. ⁷ My people are bent on turning away from me; and though they cry out to the Most High, he will not raise them up. ⁸ How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart winces within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.